The Iris Nebula ( NGC 7023/Caldwell 4), is a reflection nebula in the constellation Cepheus, roughly 1,300 light years away. Its bright central portion spans about 6 light years, and its name comes from the petal-like look of the glowing bluish clouds. Unlike many of the nebulae in this series, the Iris doesn’t produce its own light. It shines because a young, hot star at its heart, HD 200775, scatters its light off surrounding dust grains, and this scattering favors blue wavelengths, just as it does in our own sky. The star is several times hotter and many times more massive than the Sun, and it is only a few million years old.